Q: When I stick up for someone, people say that I just want attention and they say some rude stuff. What do I do?
When I was in grade 7 there was a girl in my class who got made fun of everyday. Sometimes I would wonder how she came to school knowing that people were going to be cruel. I can remember walking home from school one day thinking, ‘I want to be someone who takes a stand for what I believe in. I want to take a Stand for Respect!’
When I made the choice to stand up for Respect I knew that meant taking a stand for the girl in my class who was getting made fun of or ignored everyday. I was nervous. I was worried about what others would think but I decided to 'feel the fear and do it anyway!' I put my new choice into action by saying 'hi' to her with a smile and by not talking about her in a disrespectful way. Two simple acts that are hard to do when everyone else is not doing the same.
There were people who turned on me by saying, 'What! Are you two best friends now? Sara you're too nice!' and I could tell by the tone in their voice that they didn't mean those words as a compliment. I knew I could not change how they acted but I could definitely choose my actions and opinions.
It’s hard to take a stand especially when no one else is there to support you. There is a saying that says 'It’s easy to stand with a crowd and hard to stand on your own.' It’s not always easy, but it is Possible to take a Stand for Respect regardless of what others think! I knew I needed to take a stand for what I believed was right.
A few months later I received a note from that young lady in my class.
Dear Sara,
You are the best out of the gang. You don't make fun of me. Why? I really like you. I want to be friends with the other ones but they don't want to be friends with me. I guess what I am trying to say is Thank You for not making fun of me!
Although it was hard to stand alone, it felt good knowing that I was doing what I believed was Right and Respectful. Today as I look back to grade 7 I am so happy I chose to take a stand. I have moved many times and I am now 29 and that note still means a lot to me. How we choose to treat ourselves and others can have lasting effects.
Choose not to allow what others think to determine what you Believe about you! Keep taking a stand for Respect for yourself and for others! The more you do it the easier it will become.
Remember - people have their opinions, but those opinions don’t mean anything until you say they do!! You have the final say in what you choose to believe about yourself and the world.
‘Act in the moment but choose to act in a way you will be proud of for the moments to come' - that's using your UPower.
Until next time...
This has been 'my voice' but I respect this is your life - this is 'your choice'
When I was in grade 7 there was a girl in my class who got made fun of everyday. Sometimes I would wonder how she came to school knowing that people were going to be cruel. I can remember walking home from school one day thinking, ‘I want to be someone who takes a stand for what I believe in. I want to take a Stand for Respect!’
When I made the choice to stand up for Respect I knew that meant taking a stand for the girl in my class who was getting made fun of or ignored everyday. I was nervous. I was worried about what others would think but I decided to 'feel the fear and do it anyway!' I put my new choice into action by saying 'hi' to her with a smile and by not talking about her in a disrespectful way. Two simple acts that are hard to do when everyone else is not doing the same.
There were people who turned on me by saying, 'What! Are you two best friends now? Sara you're too nice!' and I could tell by the tone in their voice that they didn't mean those words as a compliment. I knew I could not change how they acted but I could definitely choose my actions and opinions.
It’s hard to take a stand especially when no one else is there to support you. There is a saying that says 'It’s easy to stand with a crowd and hard to stand on your own.' It’s not always easy, but it is Possible to take a Stand for Respect regardless of what others think! I knew I needed to take a stand for what I believed was right.
A few months later I received a note from that young lady in my class.
Dear Sara,
You are the best out of the gang. You don't make fun of me. Why? I really like you. I want to be friends with the other ones but they don't want to be friends with me. I guess what I am trying to say is Thank You for not making fun of me!
Although it was hard to stand alone, it felt good knowing that I was doing what I believed was Right and Respectful. Today as I look back to grade 7 I am so happy I chose to take a stand. I have moved many times and I am now 29 and that note still means a lot to me. How we choose to treat ourselves and others can have lasting effects.
Choose not to allow what others think to determine what you Believe about you! Keep taking a stand for Respect for yourself and for others! The more you do it the easier it will become.
Remember - people have their opinions, but those opinions don’t mean anything until you say they do!! You have the final say in what you choose to believe about yourself and the world.
‘Act in the moment but choose to act in a way you will be proud of for the moments to come' - that's using your UPower.
Until next time...
This has been 'my voice' but I respect this is your life - this is 'your choice'
P.S. If you are faced with a circumstance where you need help,
one of the best UPower choices you can make is to
Reach Out to your parents/adults, teachers, principals, counsellors,
friends or www.kidshelpphone.ca to get the support you deserve.
Keep reaching out until someone listens.
